Destruction of nature for transmission infrastructure proves biodiversity offsets are nature negative: Higginson
Labor Premier Chris Minns and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe are facing criticism from multiple sides of politics over their handling of the Central West Orana REZ following revelations that scores of native vegetation had been cleared to make way for a renewable energy project. An estimated 670 trees have been cleared, including critically endangered hollow bearing trees which make up habitat for koalas, glossy black cockatoos, little eagles, squirrel gliders and eastern pygmy possums.
Farmers will pay for Labor’s rushed EPBC Act reforms: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor’s rushed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBCA) Act reforms are a confusing mess, with the Department unable to guarantee farmers won’t experience a financial loss due to the new changes.
Australia’s first River Repair Boat set to launch in Ballina: OzFish
OzFish, Australia’s only fish habitat restoration charity, is set to launch the nation’s first dedicated River Repair Boat at a special public event at Faulks Reserve Boat Ramp, Ballina, at 3 pm on Friday, 5 December 2025.
New Practice Note – Capability maturity: assessments and targets for severe to catastrophic disasters
Organisations with emergency management responsibilities must be capable of preparing and managing severe to catastrophic disasters. Practice Note 3: Capability maturity: assessments and targets for severe to catastrophic disasters presents a capability assessment tool that organisations can use to assess their capability maturity to adequately prepare for and manage severe to catastrophic disasters.
Regional patients left behind by Metro Tunnel connections: Cleeland
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, has criticised the Allan Labor Government for designing the Metro Tunnel around Melbourne priorities while leaving regional Victorians to battle difficult, impractical connections.
NFF secures breakthrough on Right to Repair for farmers
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has secured a Federal Government commitment to extend Right to Repair reforms to agricultural machinery, hailing it a historic win for farmers and a direct result of years of advocacy from the farm sector.
Warning on state’s hidden fire danger: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers have warned the state’s national parks have become ticking time bombs for bushfires this summer. As authorities continued to confiscate large swathes of land to form national parks, NSW Farmers’ President Xavier Martin said vital resources to properly manage bushfire risks on public land had failed to follow.
Riverina’s beekeeping industry under threat as Varroa Mite takes economic toll
The beekeeping sector across the Riverina is experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis as the region grapples with the ongoing challenge of varroa mite management, placing critical agricultural pollination services at risk.
Sand mining kills trees
Big, healthy eucalypt trees in Roe Creek are falling victim to sand mining, according to two members of the public who have contacted the Alice Springs News. The mines are either side of the Temple Bar Gap, south of the Ilparpa Road.
Letter to the Editor: Mine Free Glenaladale responds to Gippsland Critical Minerals
Mine Free Glenaladale ... A spokesperson for Mine Free Glenaladale, Ms Robyn Grant, said she was surprised at Mr Harrington’s comments ... “He is simply parroting the same unscientific misinformation and spin that the community has been asked to swallow for the past 12 months, as the failed Kalbar project is rescoped."
Report cards highlight cod season potential: VFA
Victoria’s Murray cod fisheries are in strong shape ahead of the annual season opening, according to a monitoring program funded in part by recreational fishing licence fees ... "Cod season opens Monday, December 1, and there’s good news for anglers planning summer trips to the Goulburn, Ovens and Lindsay rivers and Gunbower Creek."
Statement on EPBC: NFF
Hamish McIntyre. Farmers have been left bitterly disappointed by the deal between the Government and the Greens on environmental reform ... the NFF has supported genuine reform, but not this deal. Our key concern is the announcement of ‘closer controls’ of ‘high risk land clearing’. The specifics of this remain unclear, and we are urgently calling for clarity.
A secure and sustainable future for the forestry industry: Collins, Watt, Ayres
The industry is of such strategic importance to the Australian community we today designate it a priority industry under our Future Made in Australia plans.
Farmers unite to protect a family legacy
In the David vs Goliath battle of farmers and industrial renewables, Colin Fenton didn't mince his words in a showdown with a Transmission Company Victoria attempting to gain access to the family's 102-year family farming legacy at Dingwell. "We've been through wars, floods and fire, by hell we're a bloody resilient group," stated Colin, who, in his 80s, stood firm with his wife Mary and a group of supporters, who had rushed to their side for one of two attempted property entries this week.
Football fever high as we welcome Matildas
Skaie Hull. The Central Coast will take centre stage this Friday, November 28, as the CommBank Matildas return to Gosford for a blockbuster international double-header at Polytec Stadium. The event is expected to deliver a major boost to tourism, local business and the region's growing reputation as a sporting powerhouse.
Fish for the future, not for votes
Western Australians love two things: arguing about politics and arguing about fishing — and not necessarily in that order ...
Crime down, victims down, public drinking in focus: Finocchiaro, Edgington
The Finocchiaro CLP Government today released its Banned Drinkers Register Review as the latest crime data is released across the Territory. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the Territory’s latest crime statistics, covering January to September this year compared with the same period last year, show an 8.3 per cent reduction in victims of crime, with 1,635 fewer Territorians becoming victims.
Strengthening South Australia’s defence against H5 bird flu: Scriven
South Australia’s capacity to rapidly respond to emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreaks such as H5 avian influenza (bird flu) has been boosted with the launch of a new mobile biosecurity laboratory. The state-of-the-art mobile lab enables rapid processing and turnaround of samples - a critical factor during EAD outbreaks, where early diagnosis can significantly reduce economic and social impacts, as well as the risk of the disease spreading.
Farmers gearing up for fight: NSW Farmers Association
NSW Farmers Acting CEO Mike Guerin – who led a successful legal challenge against the federal government and mining giant Glencore in Queensland – said he was “getting the band back together” to fight Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project ... “The people who depend on the Great Artesian Basin for their water are living in fear that this project will go ahead and go wrong, like many of them do, creating tens of thousands of water refugees and forcing farmers to abandon half the continent because it’s been contaminated forever.
Liberals stand up to Labor’s ruthless attack on farmers: Patterson, Centofanti
The Liberal Opposition has listened to the concerns of regional landowners, farmers and stakeholders and have successfully moved significant amendments to Labor’s ill-conceived Statutes Amendment (Energy and Mining Reforms) Bill 2025. Labor had attempted to force the Bill through Parliament, which would have seen farmers indefinitely unable to access their own land.
Industry at catastrophe
Hugh Schuitemaker and Madison Eastmond. The region's peak wine industry representative group has issued an urgent open letter to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, warning that the state's largest producing area — the "backbone for thousands of family" livelihoods — is in the grip of a severe economic and social crisis ... Grape purchase prices remain at historic lows, with early indicators for the 2026 vintage, showing shiraz prices far below the cost of production – as low as $80 to $120 per tonne – which exceeds $350 per tonne.
Wrong time for a (vine) rest?
The Riverland's State and Federal MPs say an initiative promoting the resting of vineyards will have little benefit for the economic health of local wine grape growers. The State Government last week announced a rebate – of $40/hectare – for Riverland wine grape growers to rest red wine vineyards, through the use of the chemical Ethephon, for the 2026 vintage.
